A Fungus Garden

The semantic universe of the word garden is often related to a designed outdoor space, either for leisure or the cultivation of edible plants. In the same idealized imagery, the fungi kingdom is represented through bright and colorful mushrooms, like the famous *Amanita muscaria. But what is the role of fungi in a garden?

Invisible organisms acting underneath the soil, carrying information through the ecosystem, digesting dead matter; fungi are among the most active components in a garden’s sustainability. However, it is estimated that we only know 5% of the world’s fungal biodiversity. In times in which human activity is altering our entire planet, learning from our natural recyclers will definitely contribute to a more sustainable future for humanity.

How would a fungus-only garden look like? There are some known fungus gardens made by termites and ants. These insects cultivate fungal mycelium inside their underground galleries in order to feed from it. Both organisms, insect and fungus, create a symbiosis that maintains the balance.

A Fungus Garden is a digital exhibition which invites you to know more about the importance of fungi and their marginality, being often associated with death. Through a multimedia online experience around the fungi kingdom, A Fungus Garden approaches human decay as a symbol of mystery and beauty, noticing the invisible webs in which we are embedded.